Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Redeemable Interest	Cumulative Dividends	UHS Common Stockholders' Equity	Class A Common	Class B Common	Class C Common	Class D Common	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010		$ 211,761
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	2,023,771		(128,049)	1,978,772	67	897	7	0	0	2,125,989	(20,139)	44,999
Common Stock
Issued/(converted) including tax benefits from exercise of stock options	12,633			12,633	(1)	12				12,622
Repurchased	(60,482)			(60,482)		(16)				(60,466)
Restricted share-based compensation expense	1,957			1,957						1,957
Dividends paid	(19,466)		(19,466)	(19,466)
Stock option expense	15,807			15,807						15,807
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(7,416)	(31,016)										(7,416)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	411,350			398,167						398,167		13,183
Net income		37,521
Amortization of terminated hedge (net of income tax effect of $120 in 2013, $120 in 2012 and $120 in 2011)	(216)			(216)							(216)
Unrealized derivative gains and losses on cash flow hedges (net of income tax effect of $6390 in 2013, $2,528 in 2012 and $14,363 in 2011)	(23,114)			(23,114)							(23,114)
Minimum pension liability (net of income tax effect of $5670 in 2013, $1,898 in 2012 and $4,691 in 2011)	(7,706)			(7,706)							(7,706)
Subtotal-comprehensive income	380,314			367,131						398,167	(31,036)	13,183
Subtotal-comprehensive income		37,521
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011		218,266
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	2,347,118		(147,515)	2,296,352	66	893	7	0	0	2,494,076	(51,175)	50,766
Common Stock
Issued/(converted) including tax benefits from exercise of stock options	21,684			21,684		14				21,670
Repurchased	(19,154)			(19,154)		(4)				(19,150)
Restricted share-based compensation expense	2,308			2,308						2,308
Dividends paid	(58,395)		(58,395)	(58,395)
Stock option expense	20,083			20,083						20,083
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(7,933)	(18,961)										(7,933)
Sale of minority ownership interests in majority owned businesses	(832)											(832)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	454,049			443,446						443,446		10,603
Net income		34,998
Amortization of terminated hedge (net of income tax effect of $120 in 2013, $120 in 2012 and $120 in 2011)	(216)			(216)							(216)
Unrealized derivative gains and losses on cash flow hedges (net of income tax effect of $6390 in 2013, $2,528 in 2012 and $14,363 in 2011)	4,149			4,149							4,149
Minimum pension liability (net of income tax effect of $5670 in 2013, $1,898 in 2012 and $4,691 in 2011)	3,088			3,088							3,088
Subtotal-comprehensive income	461,070			450,467						443,446	7,021	10,603
Subtotal-comprehensive income		34,998
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	234,303	234,303
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	2,765,949		(205,910)	2,713,345	66	903	7	0	0	2,962,433	(44,154)	52,604
Common Stock
Issued/(converted) including tax benefits from exercise of stock options	26,880			26,880		11				26,869
Repurchased	(27,201)			(27,201)		(4)				(27,197)
Restricted share-based compensation expense	664			664						664
Dividends paid	(19,621)		(19,621)	(19,621)
Stock option expense	25,835			25,835						25,835
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(13,039)	(48,290)										(13,039)
Other	(511)											(511)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	521,929			510,733						510,733		11,196
Net income		32,094
Amortization of terminated hedge (net of income tax effect of $120 in 2013, $120 in 2012 and $120 in 2011)	(216)			(216)							(216)
Unrealized derivative gains and losses on cash flow hedges (net of income tax effect of $6390 in 2013, $2,528 in 2012 and $14,363 in 2011)	10,573			10,573							10,573
Minimum pension liability (net of income tax effect of $5670 in 2013, $1,898 in 2012 and $4,691 in 2011)	8,987			8,987							8,987
Subtotal-comprehensive income	541,273			530,077						510,733	19,344	11,196
Subtotal-comprehensive income		32,094
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	218,107	218,107
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 3,300,229		$ (225,531)	$ 3,249,979	$ 66	$ 910	$ 7	$ 0	$ 0	$ 3,499,337	$ (24,810)	$ 50,250